Friday Finds

I "met" another blogging buddy this week...check out Rogers blog, Roll Mental Camera. He writes with a unique, homorous and thought-provoking perspective.

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Don't miss this post by my new friend, Natalie Witcher. Get your "yawlp" ready! Check out her whole blog---you won't be disappointed.

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Abbi put up a good-looking easy recipe for us to try. See it here.

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We have a friend's wedding to attend tonight (hope there's dancing!) Know anyone with an anniversary or birthday on February 29?

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Is it almost spring? (My favorite season!!)

This daffodil was the only one open this morning. Four others opened by this afternoon! Yay spring!!

Think I'll work in the yard this weekend, how about you? (Dirk will be putting a roof on his dad's carport....see his home in the background?)

Teaching Ideas #2

Report Night

A fun thing we did for a few years when the kids were young was to have a weekly “report night”. This was an evening that we looked forward to and prepared for. Each child was responsible to bring a book report, a chart from a science lesson they had learned, a poem they had memorized, or even a skit or song they had rehearsed together.

They were very creative in their ideas. We shared many laughs.

This gave them opportunity to stand alone in front of an “audience” and to also learn respect for the “performer”.

Let me know if you try this, or do something similar in your own family. It is a fun memory!

A Left Turn....

It was “one of those days” ---again. Maybe because it’s Monday. Maybe because we worked hard this weekend and we’re tired. Maybe it’s because I’m still not feeling well. Maybe it’s because of all those things.

It seems to always begin with math. Ugh! Actually, I really enjoy math…but my boys don’t exactly share the same excitement. Possibly, it’s a mix-up in communicating the method, the principle, the concept. Or, it’s tired boys with raging teen hormones. It’s being 13 and 15 with all the boy stuff that accompanies that. Or, it’s because I’m the mom…and the teacher.

Here’s the deal. I know I’m not supposed to take their reaction and less than eager responses personal….I just do. Again. And as good moms are supposed to do, I have another attitude discussion with my boys. Number 5384, or something like that. Again.

So, ….tomorrow will be a new day. Tuesday. Another day of math---yes. But, I’ll try to remember that I’m not 15…..or 13. I’m the mom. I shouldn’t take things so personally….again.

Some days are just hard.

Teaching Ideas #1

Newspaper School

One year I had the Daily Oklahoman deliver a newspaper for each child in our family every weekday morning. The Oklahoman offered a school-rate and honored that rate for our Meadows Lifeschool. While this project required quite a lot of quick, daily preparation on my part, it was a great learning time for us all.

I would go over the newspaper while the children were doing other activities. Since I was teaching five levels of academics at the time, I would decide what we would read together, and then assign varying projects according to each child’s ability. For the youngest, I might have them circle a certain alphabet “letter of the day” or find all the verbs, nouns, etc.. For others, an editorial, with instructions to look up any words they didn’t understand and tell, in writing, whether they agreed or disagreed with the writer’s point of view.

I remember one of my upper level kids doing a report on Iraq (a country just becoming more news-worthy at that time). We followed the stock market, (with Dirk's help) each child having a small portfolio of his own. We would read the paper for 30-45 minutes, then meet together to share our discoveries.

Some days, I was overwhelmed and the newspapers would remain tightly wrapped in a rubberband. Most days, we enjoyed keeping up with current events and sharing funny or touching stories we would read.

It was a fun time. Maybe I need to try it again with my two boys.

What are some fun teaching activities you do with your children?

Friday Finds

A wonderful story of God's love, faithfulness and redemption unfolds this week and next. Read about a life made NEW!

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My good blogging buddy and friend, Scott Williams is raising a stink telling about his prison time---better check it out! Four posts this week worth reading. Hey--Scott's blog is ALWAYS worth reading!

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This weekend the Edmond Lifechurch Switch youth band is playing worship at the weekend experiences at the Edmond campus. Come check out this great group of young men. Oh yeah....one of them is Kody, our 15 year old son playing backup guitar. All but the lead singer are homeschoolers! They'll rock you out of your seats.

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Signs of Spring----my favorite season!

I have daffodils up in my yard. Hopefully, they won't bloom too early and freeze.

Have you seen or heard the flocks of robins flying around?

Now, we just need some warm weather and sunshine!

Have any fun weekend plans?

Am I Doing Enough? (again)

Well, I think I'm going to live....still having a cough, but not feeling as badly. Thanks for re-reading this post from July.
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This question has been resounding in my spirit for a few weeks now. In separate conversations with home educating moms, this question was a heart-cry of three different people.

“Every night when I lay down to sleep, I just worry, ‘Today, have I done everything I could to direct and teach my children?’” “How do I know I’ve covered everything that needs to be covered?” “Am I doing enough or requiring too much?”

These are legitimate questions, but also ones that can bind us up in frustration and insecurities that will only pull us and our children down. Most of us are concerned that we’ll forget to teach some academic subject or an area that will end up being a hindrance to our children’s future. We feel that deep responsibility to make sure we’re “covering it all”. Guess what? We won’t cover it all. We’ll leave gaps. There will be things we forget, don’t know to teach, or don’t do a very good job teaching. And if we’re fearful and concerned at night or at the end of a school year that we somehow failed, maybe our focus is on the wrong thing.

Is our real goal as home educating moms to raise superior academics, straight A students, cum Laude college grads? Or has God called us to raise children whose hearts are completely turned toward Him? To guide them into a heritage of love and godliness that will continue long after we’re gone?

At the end of the day, or the end of 12th grade, my goal is to have poured my love into my children’s hearts. To have shown them the importance of choosing for themselves a life dedicated to a relationship with Jesus. To make opportunities for their character to be challenged to become the men and women that God has called them to be. I’ve seen the fruit of that goal lived out in the lives of my 19-28 year old children. What a blessing!

Did we leave gaps in teaching our children? Of course. Plenty. But God is faithful to teach them everything we didn't or couldn't. After all, He loves them even more than we do!


EVERYTHING that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. 2 Peter 1:3 NLT

But he said to me, "My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak."
2 Cor. 12:9 NIRV

I'm siding with satan on this one.....(again)

Sorry for the repeat posts this week....I'm not coughing quite as much, but I still feel lousy. Thanks for reading the repeats.

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I’m a nothing.

A big, fat zero.

A nobody, zilch, nada, nil.

Aren’t those the lies we hear whispered in our ears on a daily basis? Lies satan wants us to live and believe? Lies that will keep us beaten down and discouraged?

Well, guess what? This time I’m siding with satan! Yep, I’ve crossed the line and I’m agreeing with him.

But, I know a truth satan doesn’t get. You see, I've decided it's good to be a zero.

A zero, in mathematics, is a placeholder. It has no value. It only represents a place. It is a position holder. Alone, zero actually is nothing. But with even the lowest number, number one, standing in front of it, it suddenly has value!

So, satan, while I’ll agree that I’m nothing, with The One standing before me, and with my willingness to be a placeholder in His Kingdom, well, I’ve got a greater value than you’ll ever know!

Think About It (again)

Repeat blog today....the denial of being sick isn't working so well ; ). I may hack up a lung!

Consider the awesome magnitude of this thought. Before time ever began, God chose you for your child and your child for you, complete with his specific birth order, and the specific personality traits geared to train you and him into righteousness!

He knew that there would be the greatest opportunity for your child’s heart to be completely turned toward Him by placing him under your care---at just this time in history! Wow! What a concept. It’s monumental. It’s incomprehensible!

Get this into your spirit and the next time life is overwhelming you, or your child is driving you absolutely crazy, consider the ‘bigger’ picture.

He Gives, and Gives, and Gives

I'm sick....blech...flu-like symptoms, but if you know me....I'm in denial. ; )

Today, enjoy this poem by Annie Flint, (1866-1932). Read more about this amazing woman's life here. Even though she endured a lifetime of hardships and pain, she knew Who she belonged to and knew the Truth that kept her through each day. May we have the same "knowing".

Acapulco, Mexico (picture taken by Robin)

He gives more grace when the burden grows greater,
He sends more strength when the labors increase,
To added affliction He adds His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When faith seems to fail and the day is only half gone,
When we come to the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known unto men,
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus, He gives, and gives, and gives again

Friday Finds

Ever wonder about turning in a Mom’s letter of resignation? Check it out!

My youngest daughter, Katie has started a blog. She is 19, married to one of our wonderful son-in-loves, and currently a nursing student. She’s pretty darn cute too ; )

Another daughter, Anna is continuing her personal story of overcoming insecurity. It’s a great series.

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Never let anyone say anything nicer about your husband than you do.

Never wear his t-shirts to bed! Or your t-shirt, or anyone’s t-shirt!

Always wear a smile for him.

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There has been a lot of sickness going around. We’ve had the stomach bug make it through the entire family, now my boys have coughs and stuffy heads. Are you all suffering with sickness, or is everyone well for a change?

Next week – a few teaching ideas that were successful for our family.

Happy?

Someone asked me what these posts about our husbands have to do with home education. My philosophy? If Daddy ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy….
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I shared the list of questions from yesterday with my husband and 26-year-old son, Andrew. After the laughter settled from their jokes and suggestions, they both expressed that the only thing they really desired is for their wives to be happy.

What does “being happy” mean to you? How much responsibility for your happiness rests with your husband? Is happiness a choice?

Discuss.

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Valentine’s Day suggestion: Make your husband a handmade card telling him all the reasons why you love him!

Just Ask Him

More on our subject of honoring our husbands.....

In talking with Dirk on this subject, he suggested that most guys don’t really think about some of these questions, unless things are not the way they want it to be! How can we know what our husbands think, unless we ask him? How about writing some questions down, giving him the list and allowing him time to think about them? I think you’ll find that most of our husbands really do care about some of these things, but you’ll have to ask him to know for sure!

Here are a few suggested questions for him:

How does your husband like you to wear your hair? Long, short, fixed, messy, colored, not colored?

In public ; ), what sort of clothing does he like you to wear? Sweats? Jeans? Slacks?

What would he like to see going on at home when he walks in the door from work? (Maybe 5 things listed in order of importance?)
I asked this particular question many years ago and still have my list. Think I’ll do it again and see if anything has changed!

What are his three favorite meals that you make?

What is his idea of a great date night?

Nail polish or no nail polish?


Add to the list----what are some things you think we should ask our husbands? Report back!

Simple Definitions

Patience (Amended)

A recent post here gave a simple definition for patience. Patience is waiting without complaining.

Then, not long ago at our ballroom dance class, a new meaning was dropped into my heart and mind. You see, ballroom dancing is a great way to learn more about leading and following. In dancing, the man is always the leader, the woman, always the follower. (Quite a concept, don’t you think ;-) And man! Is it ever hard to learn to follow in dancing, because as a follower, you must learn to WAIT for the lead.

My new definition for patience?

Patience is waiting without suggestions…..

Enough said?

At least Dirk didn’t stomp on my foot!

Tips for Staying Young (at heart)

I just had a birthday this weekend. It’s hard to believe I’m as old as I am!! Rather than ignore it, I’ve included some

Tips for staying young (at heart)

Do have your hair colored!
Do trust your hair stylist
Do hang out with younger people
Do serve in your church’s youth group
Do eat right and workout (OK – I do one of these pretty well)
Do get outside as often as possible
Do have a myspace and a facebook and a blog!
Do let your daughters (or nieces, or a friend’s daughter) help you shop
Don’t pay any attention to the creaks, pops and groans of your joints
Don’t take yourself too seriously
Don’t, don’t, don’t look in the mirror any more than necessary!!

Smile LOTS!!

I’ve decided denial is the best policy in growing older. Not much I can do about it anyway---guess I’ll just enjoy it! It is much better than the alternative….. ;-)

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My daughter Ali has a birthday one day before mine. Do you have family members with the same, or very close to your own, birthday?

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Stay tuned for more posts on husbands!

Friday Finds

Series that began last Monday, February 4….don’t miss it. It could change your life. And stay tuned “for one of the most shocking photos you’ll ever see on annameadows.com”

Since we’re talking about Numero Uno….a humorous glimpse into your husband’s mind... OR a glimpse into your husband's humorous mind....
Hints for Women

Some great Motherhood lessons—it’ll make you smile

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Ballroom Dancing tonight---we’ll be there!
Transformations Center, south of 33rd on Kelly, come in the west door
7-9 pm
$15 couple
Beginner class every Friday (except the 3rd one)
It’s fun!!

******************************************* picture from September, 2007

Something fun for some of you to look forward to in a few years---I had lunch with three of my daughters today (missed you, Katie). It was a delightfully fun, refreshingly wonderful time! We like each other.

Numero Uno

Next to God, who comes first in your life?

It should be your husband.

Sure, there are times in our lives when our babies or young children require the bulk of our time, the majority of our mind (what’s left of it). But, where is our focus? Are we really thinking about our husband and his feelings, or are we just allowing the circumstances of life to pull us along? How important is he?

Ask yourself:

*When I have exciting news, who do I call first?
*If I have some free time, who do I want to spend it with?
*Am I willing to learn about or participate in football games, shooting guns, watching a war movie, golf, or car races? Or is that “his thing”?
*Do I check with him before I make plans for our family?

I challenge us all to make our husbands our best friend. If he’s not already, start now. Even if he is, what are some new and creative ideas that will show him he’s numero uno for us? Come on…share!

The King is in the Castle!

When Erin, Andrew and Ali were very young we were learning about authority and obedience. We made crowns and I let them dress up as kings and queens. We learned several things about castles, knights, ladies, princesses and all manner of kingly things. We said things like, “yes, your majesty”, we played servant and master. When daddy would get home from work, I would announce, “The King is in the castle.” He would be seated in the seat of honor (the head of the table) and his food was served to him. It was great fun.

The interesting thing about that learning time is that I think I learned more than my kids. (Isn’t that how it goes with home education?)

I learned that my husband was indeed the king of our castle, and that he not only deserved the honor of that position, he relished it. He loved being pampered, served and most of all, honored.

Honor is treating others well because they are important.

For the next few posts, I want to discuss ways we can honor our husbands and show him how important he is. Hope you’ll stay tuned and add your ideas.

Simple Definitions

Responsibility

"‘Ponsipility is doing the thing you should in the time you should"

Ali was so cute when she was about three years old (she'll be 24 this week!) reciting the definition of responsibility in her sweet, little girl voice. Ask any of my kids…they’ll still be able to rattle this one off—most likely including the shortened version of the word, since we repeated the story so many times!

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Don’t forget to vote today. Here’s a quiz on the issues---might help you decide if you haven’t yet.

Hope your candidate wins----unless you’re voting for someone I’m not!

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Check out Anna’s blog this week at annameadows.com
She began to tell her story yesterday morning….one I think you’ll find interesting, and she’ll need your input for some future writing she’ll be doing. Add her to your reader or e-mail. Let her know what you think.

Crazy Peace

We had just finished eating black-eyed peas (for good luck, of course!) on New Year’s Day. We were sitting around a jig-saw puzzle, the four of us. The remaining ten of our noisy, lively group was scattered around the house, watching a football game, reading, playing video games. One of Anna’s three friends that had been spending time with us over the holidays quietly commented, “You don’t scream at each other here. How does that work?” Another of Anna’s friends replied, “They don’t allow it.”

I had never really thought about it. I guess we don’t allow it. It all comes down to respect, kindness…..love, really. Oh, there are the occasional harsh words, disagreements, usual sibling rivalry stuff that we continually work on. But, it was nice to know that at least for this girl, our wild-mayhem-crazy-sort-of-family was a place of peace and rest.

May we all find peace amid our mayhem.

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Col. 3:15-17 (The Message) Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.